Intelligence is a valuable trait for any leader, especially for presidents of different countries. Intelligence can help a president make wise decisions, communicate effectively, solve complex problems and inspire others. But how do we measure the intelligence of presidents? One possible way is to look at their IQ scores, which are estimates of their cognitive abilities based on standardized tests. However, IQ scores are not always reliable or available for every president, and they do not capture other aspects of intelligence such as creativity, emotional intelligence or leadership skills. Therefore, IQ scores should be taken with a grain of salt and not be the only criterion for judging a president’s intelligence.
Top 10 Most Intelligent Presidents in the World Ever
With that caveat in mind, here are some of the presidents who have been reported to have high IQ scores or have demonstrated remarkable intelligence in their lives and careers. This list is based on various sources, and it is not intended to be definitive or comprehensive.
10. Richard Nixon (USA) – IQ: 143
Richard Nixon was the 37th president of the United States from 1969 to 1974. He is best known for his involvement in the Watergate scandal, which led to his resignation from office. However, he also had many achievements in his presidency, such as ending the Vietnam War, establishing diplomatic relations with China, creating the Environmental Protection Agency and launching initiatives to fight cancer and desegregation. Nixon was a brilliant student who graduated second in his class from Whittier College and third in his class from Duke University Law School. He also had a photographic memory and could recall details from books he had read years ago.
9. Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie (Indonesia) – IQ: 145
Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was the third president of Indonesia from 1998 to 1999. He was also a renowned engineer and scientist who made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from RWTH Aachen University in Germany in 1960, where he received a first-degree certificate that was equivalent to a master’s degree. He later obtained his doctorate in 1965 with a dissertation on “Thermoelasticity of High-Speed Aircraft Structures”. He worked as a researcher and executive at various German aerospace companies, where he developed several innovative technologies such as the Habibie Factor, the Habibie Theorem and the Habibie Method.
8. Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines) – IQ: 148
Ferdinand Marcos was the tenth president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was also a lawyer, soldier and dictator who ruled the country under martial law for most of his presidency. He was born into a family of teachers and showed exceptional academic abilities since childhood. He graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1939 and topped the bar exam with a score of 98.01%, which remains the highest score ever recorded. He also received several medals and awards for his service in World War II, where he claimed to have led a guerrilla unit called Ang Mga Maharlika.
7. John F. Kennedy (USA) – IQ: 150
John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He is widely regarded as one of the most popular and charismatic presidents in American history, who inspired a generation with his vision of a “New Frontier”. He was also the youngest elected president and the first Catholic president of the country. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1940 with a degree in international affairs and wrote a best-selling book based on his senior thesis titled “Why England Slept”. He also served as a naval officer in World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart for his heroic actions in the South Pacific.
6. Thomas Jefferson (USA) – IQ: 160
Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He is also considered one of the Founding Fathers of the nation and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He was a true Renaissance man who had interests and achievements in various fields such as economics, architecture, food and wine, agriculture, paleontology, astronomy, music and writing. He spoke several languages fluently and amassed a large collection of books that he sold to the Library of Congress after it was burned by the British. He also doubled the size of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and founded the University of Virginia in 1819.
5. George Washington (USA) – IQ: 160
George Washington was the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. He is also known as the “Father of the Country” and the “American Cincinnatus” for his role in leading the Continental Army during the American Revolution and relinquishing his power after his presidency. He was a self-taught man who had little formal education but learned from his own experience and reading. He was a successful farmer, surveyor, soldier, statesman and businessman who managed his Mount Vernon estate and diversified his crops and industries. He also presided over the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and set many precedents for the office of the president.
4. Abraham Lincoln (USA) – IQ: 160
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history, who preserved the Union during the Civil War and emancipated the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment. He was born into poverty and had little formal education, but he taught himself law by reading books and became a successful lawyer and politician. He was also a gifted orator and writer who delivered some of the most memorable speeches in history, such as the Gettysburg Address and the Second Inaugural Address.
3. Sven Olof Joachim Palme (Sweden) – IQ: 156
Sven Olof Joachim Palme was a two-time prime minister of Sweden from 1969 to 1976 and from 1982 until his assassination in 1986. He was also a prominent leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party and a vocal advocate for social justice, democracy, human rights and peace. He graduated with top grades from the University of Stockholm in 1948 and received a scholarship to study at Kenyon College in Ohio, where he earned his BA degree in less than a year. He also studied at Stanford University and worked as an assistant to Swedish diplomat Alva Myrdal at the United Nations. He was known for his eloquence, charisma and courage in speaking out against oppression, inequality and violence around the world.
2. John Quincy Adams (USA) – IQ: 175
John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States from 1825 to 1829. He was also a diplomat, senator, congressman and secretary of state who served under five presidents. He was born into a prominent political family and showed remarkable intelligence since childhood. He graduated from Harvard University in 1787 and studied law under Theophilus Parsons. He became fluent in seven languages and traveled extensively around Europe and Asia as a diplomat. He helped shape the Monroe Doctrine and negotiate the Treaty of Ghent that ended the War of 1812. He was also an avid writer who kept a detailed diary for most of his life.
1. Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) – IQ: 180
Benjamin Netanyahu is the current prime minister of Israel, serving since 2009. He is also the longest-serving prime minister in Israeli history, having previously held the office from 1996 to 1999. He is also a former soldier, diplomat, businessman and author who has written several books on terrorism, security and foreign policy. He graduated from MIT with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture and management in 1975 and 1976 respectively. He also studied political science at Harvard University and participated in several international conferences and debates. He is known for his strong leadership, strategic vision and eloquence in defending Israel’s interests on the global stage.
Conclusion
The presidents on this list are only some examples of intelligent leaders who have left their mark on history. Intelligence is not only measured by IQ scores, but also by other factors such as achievements, contributions, skills, personality and legacy. Intelligence is also not a guarantee of success or popularity, as some presidents faced challenges, controversies or failures during or after their terms. Intelligence is a valuable trait for any leader, but it is not enough without other qualities such as wisdom, integrity, courage and compassion.
10 Most Asked Questions About Presidents
Here are some common questions that people may have about presidents:
Q: Who was the first president of the United States?
A: George Washington was the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797.
Q: Who is the current president of the United States?
A: Joe Biden is the current president of the United States since January 20, 2021.
Q: How many presidents have there been in total?
A: There have been 46 presidents in total, including Joe Biden.
Q: Which president was the first to live in the White House?
A: John Adams was the first president to live in the White House, which was then called the Executive Mansion or the President’s House, in 1800.
Q: Which president was the only one to resign from office?
A: Richard Nixon was the only president to resign from office in 1974, amid the Watergate scandal and the threat of impeachment.
Q: Which president was born on the Fourth of July?
A: Calvin Coolidge was born on the Fourth of July in 1872, making him the only president to share his birthday with the nation’s independence day.
Q: Which president won a Nobel Peace Prize?
A: Four presidents have won a Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Jimmy Carter in 2002 and Barack Obama in 2009.
Q: Which president had a pet alligator?
A: John Quincy Adams had a pet alligator that was given to him by the Marquis de Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution. He kept the alligator in a bathtub in the East Room of the White House.
Q: Which president was a movie star before entering politics?
A: Ronald Reagan was a movie star before entering politics, appearing in more than 50 films and television shows. He was also the president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960.
Q: Which president had a PhD degree?
A: Woodrow Wilson had a PhD degree in political science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. He was also a professor and president of Princeton University before becoming governor of New Jersey and then president of the United States.
Q: Which president served the shortest term in office?
A: William Henry Harrison served the shortest term in office, lasting only 31 days from March 4 to April 4, 1841. He died of pneumonia after delivering a long inaugural speech in cold and wet weather.
Q: Which president was the tallest and which one was the shortest?
A: Abraham Lincoln was the tallest president at 6 feet 4 inches, while James Madison was the shortest president at 5 feet 4 inches.
Q: Which president had no biological children but adopted two sons?
A: George Washington had no biological children but adopted two sons from his wife Martha’s previous marriage. He also raised two of his wife’s grandchildren as his own.